Inhalation device, power supply unit, and method

ABSTRACT

An inhalation device appropriately ascertains the state of a power supply part and, in particular, quickly and reliably detects the state when a power supply abnormality has occurred during battery discharge. An inhalation device generates an aerosol and includes a heating part that atomizes an aerosol source, a power supply part that performs an operation that supplies power to the heating part, a sensor that detects a voltage value for the power supply part, a control part that determines the state of the power supply part on the basis of a total power supply count and a normal power supply count that are tallied in accordance with the power supply operation, the normal power supply count being tallied when the voltage value for the power supply part is at or above a prescribed voltage threshold value throughout the power supply operation, and a notification part that gives notification of the state of the power supply part.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2019/023995, filed on Jun. 18, 2019.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an inhaler, an electric power source unit, and a method. Specifically, it relates to an inhaler which generates aerosol, an electric power source unit which is used by an inhaler, and a method for operating an inhaler which generates aerosol.

Electronic devices including an inhaler, such as an electronic cigarette which generates inhalation components such as flavor-added aerosol, has been known. A lithium-ion battery is often adopted as a battery for an electronic device such as that explained above. In this regard, there may be a case that a problem occurs due to aged deterioration or the like in a lithium-ion battery. Thus, there is an electronic device which detects, when a problem relating to a battery has occurred, the problem.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique wherein it is judged that an error has occurred in a battery if an electric power source voltage has become a voltage below a threshold voltage when a user is using an inhaler (a discharge of a battery), and the number of times of occurred errors is counted. In the technique, if the number of times exceeds a predetermined threshold value, information representing necessity of replacement of the battery is outputted via activation of a replacement indicator.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Public Disclosure No. 2017-514463

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

It is desirable that, in the case that a problem has occurred when a battery is performing discharging operation, an electronic device detect electric power source abnormality, and, in addition thereto, obtain more detailed information thereof. Specifically, it is desirable to specify a cause of a problem, such as an unexpected failure of a battery, aging such as an end of a battery life, or the like, and present diagnosis information including information such as that explained above to a user in an easily understandable manner. Especially, regarding an inhaler, since operation for heating an aerosol source in response to supplying of electric power from an electric power source is performed in the inhaler, acquisition of more detailed information should be performed, in addition to detection of electric power source abnormality, from the point of view of safety.

The present disclosure has been achieved in view of the above matters. That is, an object of the present disclosure is to appropriately grasp the state of an electric power source part comprising a battery, in relation to use of an inhaler, and provide a user with information of the state. Especially, one of objects is to judge, by an inhaler, a state of electric-power-source abnormality, in the case such as the case that a problem has occurred when a battery is performing discharging operation. Further, one of objects is to appropriately control operation of an inhaler, in response to judged electric-power-source abnormality. Further, one of objects is to output diagnosis information that specifies the degree and the cause of electric-power-source abnormality, when it is judged that electric-power-source abnormality has occurred, and urge a user to handle the electric-power-source abnormality.

Solution to Problem

In a first aspect, an inhaler for generating aerosol is provided. The inhaler comprises: a heater for atomizing an aerosol source; an electric power source part for performing operation for supplying electric power to the heater; a sensor for detecting a voltage value of the electric power source part; a controller for judging the state of the electric power source part based on the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power that are counted according to the electric power supplying operation, wherein the number of times of normal supply of electric power is counted in the case that the voltage value of the electric power source part is maintained to be that equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage threshold value through the electric power supplying operation; and a notifier for notifying the state of the electric power source part. By using two parameters, i.e., the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power, the inhaler can appropriately grasp a normal state or an abnormal state of the electric power source part in a period when the inhaler is being used, especially, in a battery discharge during user's puff action, and provide a user with notification.

An inhaler in a second aspect comprises the inhaler in the first aspect, wherein the notifier notifies, based on the total number of times of supply of electric power, the states of the electric power source part in different modes. As a result that a notification mode is perceived by a user who is using the above inhaler, the user can intuitively grasp a normal state or an abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge. Further, it becomes possible to improve convenience relating to repairing of the inhaler.

An inhaler in a third aspect comprises the inhaler in the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein, in the case that the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power do not coincide with each other as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted, the controller judges the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality. By using two parameters, i.e., the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power, the controller in the inhaler can certainly judge an abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge, in the case that a problem has occurred in the battery discharge.

An inhaler in a fourth aspect comprises the inhaler in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein, in the case that a difference between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power has reached a predetermined threshold number of times as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times, the controller judges the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality. By adopting the above construction, the controller in the inhaler is made to be able to further precisely judge the abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge period.

An inhaler in a fifth aspect comprises the inhaler in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, wherein: the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power are associated with each other; and, in the case that a difference between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power has reached a predetermined threshold number of times as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times consecutively, the controller judges the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality.

By adopting the above construction, the controller in the inhaler is made to be able to further precisely judge the abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge period.

An inhaler in a sixth aspect comprises the inhaler in any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, wherein the controller stores electric-power-source abnormality information in a memory in the case that the state of the electric power source part is judged as electric-power-source abnormality, and, in response to storing of the electric-power-source abnormality information, prohibits the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part. The controller in the inhaler can improve safety relating to a user, by prohibiting the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part.

An inhaler in a seventh aspect comprises the inhaler in the sixth aspect, wherein the controller further deletes the electric-power-source abnormality information stored in the memory, and, in response to deleting of the electric-power-source abnormality information, allows the electric power supplying operation that has been prohibited. The controller in the inhaler can improve convenience of a user, by making it possible to again allow the electric power supplying operation that has been prohibited once.

An inhaler in an eighth aspect comprises the inhaler in the seventh aspect, wherein the controller deletes the electric-power-source abnormality information in response to an instruction from an external device connected to the inhaler. By adopting the above construction, it becomes possible to prevent malfunction of puff manipulation due to incorrect manipulation performed by a user, and improve safety relating to a user.

An inhaler in a ninth aspect comprises the inhaler in any one of the first aspect to the eighth aspect, wherein the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part is started in response to pressing of a power source switch by a user, and performed for a predetermined period of time.

In a tenth aspect, an electric power source unit used for an inhaler for generating aerosol is provided. The electric power source unit comprises: a heater for atomizing an aerosol source; an electric power source part for performing operation for supplying electric power to the heater; a sensor for detecting a voltage value of the electric power source part; a controller for judging the state of the electric power source part based on the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power that are counted according to the electric power supplying operation, wherein the number of times of normal supply of electric power is counted in the case that the voltage value of the electric power source part is maintained to be that equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage threshold value through the electric power supplying operation; and a notifier for notifying the state of the electric power source part. By using two parameters, i.e., the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power, the electric power source unit can appropriately grasp a normal state or an abnormal state of the electric power source part in a period when the inhaler is being used, especially, in a battery discharge during user's puff action, and provide a user with notification.

An electric power source unit in an eleventh aspect comprises the electric power source unit in the tenth aspect, wherein the notifier notifies, based on the total number of times of supply of electric power, the states of the electric power source part in different modes. As a result that a notification mode is perceived by a user who is performing puff action, the user can intuitively grasp a normal state or an abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge. Further, it becomes possible to improve convenience relating to repairing of the electric power source unit.

An electric power source unit in a twelfth aspect comprises the electric power source unit in the tenth aspect or the eleventh aspect, wherein, in the case that the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power do not coincide with each other as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted, the controller judges the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality. By using two parameters, i.e., the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power, the controller in the electric power source unit can certainly judge an abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge, in the case that a problem has occurred in the battery discharge.

An electric power source unit in a thirteenth aspect comprises the electric power source unit in any one of the tenth aspect to the twelfth aspect, wherein, in the case that a difference between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power has reached a predetermined threshold number of times as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times, the controller judges the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality. By adopting the above construction, the controller in the electric power source unit is made to be able to further precisely judge the abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge period.

An electric power source unit in a fourteenth aspect comprises the electric power source unit in any one of the tenth aspect to the thirteenth aspect, wherein: the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power are associated with each other; and, in the case that a difference between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power has reached a predetermined threshold number of times as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times consecutively, the controller judges the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality. By adopting the above construction, the controller in the electric power source unit is made to be able to further precisely judge the abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge period.

An electric power source unit in a fifteenth aspect comprises the electric power source unit in any one of the tenth aspect to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the controller stores electric-power-source abnormality information in a memory in the case that the state of the electric power source part is judged as electric-power-source abnormality, and, in response to storing of the electric-power-source abnormality information, prohibits the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part. The controller in the electric power source unit can improve safety relating to a user, by prohibiting the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part.

An electric power source unit in a sixteenth aspect comprises the electric power source unit in the fifteenth aspect, wherein the controller further deletes the electric-power-source abnormality information stored in the memory, in response to an instruction from an external device connected to the electric power source unit, and, in response to deleting of the electric-power-source abnormality information, allows the electric power supplying operation that has been prohibited. The controller in the electric power source unit can prevent malfunction of puff manipulation due to incorrect manipulation performed by a user, and improve safety relating to a user, by requiring an instruction from an external device with respect to deletion of electric-power-source abnormality information. Further, it becomes possible to improve convenience of a user, by making it possible to again allow the electric power supplying operation that has been prohibited once.

An electric power source unit in a seventeenth aspect comprises the electric power source unit in any one of the tenth aspect to the sixteenth aspect, wherein: the sensor comprises a puff sensor; and the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part is started in response to a start of a series of puff actions of a user, that is detected by the puff sensor, and continued until an end of the series of puff actions.

In an eighteenth aspect, a method for operating an inhaler for generating aerosol is provided. The method comprises: a step for making an electric power source part perform operation for supplying electric power to a heater which atomizes an aerosol source; a step for making a sensor detect a voltage value of the electric power source part; a step for judging the state of the electric power source part based on the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power that are counted according to the electric power supplying operation, wherein the number of times of normal supply of electric power is counted in the case that the voltage value of the electric power source part is maintained to be that equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage threshold value through the electric power supplying operation; and a step for notifying the state of the electric power source part. By using two parameters, i.e., the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power, the method makes it possible to appropriately grasp a normal state or an abnormal state of the electric power source part in a period when the inhaler is being used, especially, in a battery discharge during user's puff action, and provide a user with notification.

A method in a nineteenth aspect comprises the method in the eighteenth aspect, wherein the step for notifying comprises notifying, based on the total number of times of supply of electric power, the states of the electric power source part in different modes. As a result that a notification mode is perceived by a user who is performing puff action, the user can intuitively grasp a normal state or an abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge. Further, it becomes possible to improve convenience relating to repairing of the inhaler.

A method in a twentieth aspect comprises the method in the eighteenth aspect or the nineteenth aspect, wherein the step for judging comprises judging the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality, in the case that the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power do not coincide with each other as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted. By using two parameters, i.e., the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power, an abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge period can be judged certainly, in the case that a problem has occurred in the battery discharge period.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an overall perspective view of an inhaler according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 1B is an overall perspective view of the inhaler according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a construction of the inhaler according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of operation of the inhaler according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a detailed flow chart of operation of the inhaler according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart of operation of the inhaler according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart of operation of the inhaler according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an example of modification of the detailed flow chart shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an example of modification of the detailed flow chart shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a construction of an inhaler according to a second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, inhalers, electric power source units, and methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained in detail, together with attached figures, with reference to the figures. It should be reminded that, although the inhalers in the embodiments of the present disclosure include an electronic cigarette and a nebulizer, the inhalers are not limited to those explained above. Especially, the inhalers may include various inhalers for generating aerosol or flavor-added aerosol inhaled by users. Further, the generated inhaled component sources may include invisible vapor, in addition to aerosol.

In the attached figures, a reference number assigned to one component, or a reference number similar thereto, is assigned to the other component if the other component is the same as or similar to the one component; and, in the explanation of respective embodiments, explanation of a component, that is the same as or similar to the other component, may be omitted for avoiding overlapping explanation. Also, a characteristic shown in each embodiment can be applied to the other embodiment if there is no contradiction between them. Further, the figures are drawn in a schematic manner, so that sizes, ratios, and so on therein may be different from actual sizes, ratios, and so on. Further, the figures may include a figure which includes a part in which relationship and ratios between sizes are different from those in a corresponding part in a different figure.

First Embodiment

(1-1) Basic Structure of Inhaler

FIG. 1A is an overall perspective view of an inhaler 10 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1B is an overall perspective view of the inhaler 10 in a state that it is holding an aerosol generation base-material, according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, to the inhaler 10, an aerosol generation base-material such as an inhalation article 15 or the like, which comprises an aerosol source and a flavor generation base-material such as a filling article comprising a flavor source or the like, is attached in an attachable/detachable manner. Aerosol including flavor is generated by heating an attached inhalation article 15.

As would be understood by a person skilled in the art, the aerosol generation base-material is an example of the inhalation article 15 (hereinafter, the aerosol generation base-material may be collectively referred to as an inhalation article). An aerosol source included in an aerosol generation base-material may be solid or liquid. The aerosol source may be liquid such as polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water, or the like, for example. The aerosol source may comprise a tobacco raw material or an extract originated from a tobacco raw material, which releases a fragrance-inhaling-taste component when it is heated. In the case that the inhaler 10 is an inhaler for medical use, such as a nebulizer or the like, the aerosol source may comprise a medicine that is to be sucked by a patient. The aerosol generation base-material may not comprise a flavor source, depending on intended use thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the inhaler 10 comprises a top housing 11A, a bottom housing 11B, a cover 12, a power source button 13, and a lid part 14. The outermost housing 11 of the inhaler 10 is constructed as a result that the top housing 11A and the bottom housing 11B are connected to each other. The housing 11 may have a size that fits in a hand of a user. In the above case, when a user uses the inhaler 10, the user will hold the inhaler 10 by a user's hand, and suck aerosol.

The top housing 11A comprises an opening (not shown in the figures), and the cover 12 is coupled to the top housing 11A to close the opening. As shown in FIG. 1B, the cover 12 has an opening 12 a into which the inhalation article 15 can be inserted. The lid part 14 is constructed to open/close the opening 12 a of the cover 12. Specifically, the lid part 14 is attached to the cover 12, and constructed to be able to move, along a surface of the cover 12, between a first position for closing the opening 12 a and a second position for opening the opening 12 a.

The power source button 13 is used for switching between an ON state and an OFF state of an electric power source in the inhaler 10. For example, by pressing the power source button 13 during a state that the inhalation article 15 has been inserted in the opening 12 a as shown in FIG. 1B, a user can make the inhalation article 15 be heated without combustion thereof by supplying electric power for a certain period of time from the electric power source part, which will be explained later, to a heater. As a result that the inhalation article 15 is heated, aerosol is generated from an aerosol source included in the inhalation article 15, and flavor in a flavor source is taken in the aerosol. A user can suck aerosol including flavor, by performing puff action applied to a part of the inhalation article 15 projecting from the inhaler 10 (the part shown in FIG. 1B).

In the bottom housing 11B, a vent (not shown in the figures) for taking air is formed for making the air flow into the inside of a heating assembly which will be explained later. Specifically, the vent is in fluid communication with one end part of the heating assembly 41.

The construction of the inhaler 10 shown in each of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B is a mere example of the construction of the inhaler according to the present disclosure. The inhaler 10 according to the present disclosure can be constructed to have any of various forms that allows generation of aerosol by heating the inhalation article 15 including an aerosol source, and puff of the generated aerosol by a user.

(1-2) Construction of Inhaler

FIG. 2 is a block diagram which schematically shows a construction of the inhaler 10 according to the present embodiment. The inhaler 10 comprises an electric power source part 20, a heater 40, a controller 50, a notifier 60, a sensor 70, and a memory 80, and they are electrically connected.

The electric power source part 20 comprises an electric power source which may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery, for example. The electric power source part 20 supplies electric power to respective components such as the heater 40, the controller 50, the notifier 60, the sensor 70, the memory 80, and so on. Especially, as a result of pressing of the power source button 13 by a user, electric power supplying operation for supplying electric power from the electric power source part 20 to the heater 40 is performed for a predetermined period of time, and the heater 40 is operated thereby to heat the inhalation article 15.

Further, the inhaler 10 may comprise an external connection terminal 22 (a terminal) which is connectable to an external electric power source (not shown in the figure). The external connection terminal 22 may be connected to a cable of micro-USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like, for example. In the case that the electric power source is a rechargeable battery, the electric power source can be charged by connecting an external electric power source to the external connection terminal 22 and making current flow from the external electric power source to the electric power source.

Further, it is possible to make it be able to transmit/receive data relating to operation of the inhaler 10 to/from an external device (not shown in the figures) by connecting a data transmission cable of micro-USB or the like to the external connection terminal 22. Specifically, it may be constructed in such a manner that, by connection with an external device via the external connection terminal 22, it is allowed to store new data in the memory 80 in the inhaler 10 and update and delete stored data by the external device.

The heater 40 comprises a heating assembly 41, and it is constructed to be able to receive therein a part of the inhalation article 15, and has a function for defining a flow path of air supplied to the inhalation article 15 and a function for heating the inhalation article 15 from an outer periphery or a center thereof. By the above construction, an aerosol source is atomized, and aerosol including flavor is generated.

Further, The inhaler 10 comprises a holding part 45 which has a concave shape and can receive the inhalation article 15 and hold a filling article. The heater 40 may have a shape for heating the inserted and received inhalation article 15 from an outer periphery or a center thereof. That is, the heater 40 can heat a part of the inhalation article 15 which includes a flavor source and is held by the holding part 45, when supply of electric power is received from the electric power source part 20.

The controller 50 is constructed to control operation of respective components such as the electric power source part 20, the heater 40, the notifier 60, the sensor 70, the memory 80, and so on. Further, the controller 50 is constructed to communicate information between it and respective components. The controller 50 may be an electronic circuit module constructed as a microprocessor or a microcomputer. The controller 50 controls operation of the inhaler 10, according to computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 80. The controller 50 reads data from the memory 80 and uses the data for control of the inhale 10 as necessary, and stores generated data in the memory 80 as necessary.

In the present embodiment, the controller 50 is constructed to judge the state of the electric power source part 20, based on the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power that are counted according to operation of the electric power source part 20 for supplying electric power to the heater 40. In this regard, it is constructed that counting of the number of times of normal supply of electric power is performed, in the case that the value of the voltage of the electric power source part 20 during the electric power supplying operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage threshold value. That is, by using two parameters, i.e., the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power, the controller 50 can appropriately grasp a normal state or an abnormal state of the electric power source part during a period when the inhaler 10 is being used, especially, during a battery discharge during user's puff action.

The notifier 60 functions to provide a user with explicit notification. Specifically, the notifier 60 provides a user with notification in various forms, by light emission, display, vocalization, vibration, or a combination thereof, or the like, as necessary. For example, the notifier 60 may be constructed in such a manner that it comprises one or plural LEDs, and makes the one or plural LEDs emit light having a single or plural colors according to a judged state of the electric power source part 20. In the present embodiment, the notifier 60 is constructed to provide notification representing the state of the electric power source part 20. For example, it is preferable to construct it in such a manner that notification with respect to whether the electric power source part 20 is in a normal state or an abnormal state is provided, and further, states of the electric power source part 20 are notified in different modes. That is, as a result that a notification mode is perceived by a user, the user can intuitively grasp a normal state or an abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge. Further, it becomes possible to improve convenience relating to repairing of the inhaler 10. Specifically, for example, with respect to the case that a user makes an inquiry about an abnormal state to a manufacturer, the side of the manufacturer is made to be able to immediately perform, by simply providing the side of the manufacturer with information of the light emission mode (for example, the color of emitted light) of the LED, determination with respect to whether or not repairing is possible and guidance for the user.

The sensor 70 may comprise a pressure sensor for detecting change in the pressure or a flow rate sensor for detecting a flow rate in the air taking-in flow path and/or the aerosol flow path from the vent to the heating assembly. Further, the sensor 70 may comprise a weight sensor for detecting the weight of a component in the inhalation article 15. Further, the sensor 70 may be constructed to detect the height of an internal liquid surface in the case that the aerosol source is liquid. Further, the sensor 70 may be constructed in such a manner that an SOC (State of Charge, charge state) of the electric power source part 20, a discharging state, an integrated current value, or the like of the electric power source part 20 is detected and/or calculated. The sensor 70 may be a manipulation button which can be manipulated by a user, or the like. In the present embodiment, especially, the sensor 70 is constructed to detect the value of the voltage in the electric power source part 20 through a discharging state (that is, operation for supplying electric power from the electric power source part 20 to the heater 40). Further, the sensor 70 is constructed to detect pressing of the power source button 13. Further, the sensor 70 is constructed to include a puff sensor such as a microphone condenser, and constructed to detect puff action performed by a user, especially, specify a start and an end of a series of puff actions performed by a user.

Further, the sensor 70 may be a temperature detector constructed to detect temperature of the heater 40 (a load included in the heater 40). For example, the temperature detector may be constructed to detect a value (the value of current flowing through the load in the heater 40, the value of a voltage applied to the load in the heater 40, or the like) that is required when obtaining a resistance value of the load in the heater 40. In the case that the resistance value of the load in the heater 40 is dependent on temperature, the temperature of the heater 40 can be estimated based on the detected resistance value of the load in the heater 40. In a different example, the temperature detector may comprise a temperature sensor for detecting temperature of the heater 40.

The memory 80 is a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, or the like. The memory 80 can store various data relating to operation of the inhaler 10. For example, the memory 80 may store data of a heating profile that has been defined with respect to the heater 40 in advance. Further, the memory 80 may store, in addition to computer-executable instructions, setting data that are necessary for controlling the inhaler 10, and programs such as firmware and so on. For example, the memory 80 may store various data relating to the method for controlling the notifier 60 (modes and so on of light emission, vocalization, vibration, and so on), values detected by the sensor 70, and so on. Further, the memory 80 stores a program for making the inhaler 10 generally perform operation that will be explained later, and the controller 50 executes the program.

As will be explained later, in the present embodiment, the memory 80 stores electric-power-source use history information including the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power that are counted by the controller 50 and used for judging the state of the electric power source part 20. Further, it stores electric-power-source abnormality information that is determined based on the total number of times of supply of electric power, when the state of the electric power source part 20 is judged as “electric-power-source abnormality.” Various types of information may be arranged to have table forms and registered with a database.

(1-3) Operation of Inhaler

FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 are schematic flow charts of methods for operating the inhaler 10 according to the present embodiment. The operation in any of the flow charts is performed by the controller 50 which is the subject of operation. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are schematic flow charts of operation for judging the state of the electric power source part 20 and setting the state of the inhaler 10 to “electric-power-source normality” or “electric-power-source abnormality.” Further, FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart of operation for prohibiting electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part, in the case that the state of the electric power source part 20 is judged as “electric-power-source abnormality,” and FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart of operation for allowing the electric power supplying operation again, after the electric power supplying operation is prohibited once.

Before starting each process shown in the flow chart in FIG. 3, it is required to perform, by the controller 50, an initialization process of the inhaler 10. The initialization process includes a process for setting each of the values of the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power to “0.” During the time when the electric power source part 20 is being used, the values of the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power are continuously counted. On the other hand, for example, in the case that the electric power source part 20 is replaced due to necessity of repair, the initialization process is performed again and each of the values of the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power is reset to “0.” In this regard, in the present specification, the action of “counting” the number of times includes the action of setting the value of the number of times to a value obtained by incrementing the value of the number of times by 1.

The total number of times of supply of electric power is the total number of times that the operation, by the electric power source part 20, for supplying electric power to the heater 40 has been performed. For example, it is preferable that the total number of times of supply of electric power be counted every time the electric power supplying operation is started. Further, the number of times of normal supply of electric power is the number of times counted when it is determined that the electric power supplying operation is normally performed, wherein the above determination result is obtained in the case that the state that the value of the voltage of the electric power source part 20, that is periodically detected by the sensor 70, is maintained to be that equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage threshold value is maintained through a start to an end of the electric power supplying operation. On the other hand, in the case that the value of the voltage of the electric power source part 20 becomes that less than the predetermined voltage threshold value even once during the electric power supplying operation, counting of the value of the number of times of normal supply of electric power is not performed.

That is, during a period of time during that the electric power source part 20 can normally operate, both the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power are counted, and the values thereof coincide with each other. In an example, it is preferable that the controller 50 judge that the state of the electric power source part 20 is “electric-power-source normality” in the above case. On the other hand, in the case that the number of times of normal supply of electric power is not counted and the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power do not coincide with each other accordingly, it is preferable that the controller 50 judge that the state of the electric power source part 20 is “electric-power-source abnormality.” In this manner, the inhaler 10 can appropriately grasp a normal state or an abnormal state of the electric power source part during a battery discharge during user's puff action, by using two parameters, i.e., the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power.

When the operation shown in FIG. 3 is started (START) after completion of the above-explained initialization process, the controller 50 judges, in step S11, whether the electric power source part 20 has started electric power supplying operation. In the present embodiment, in response to pressing of the power source button 13 by a user, the controller 50 makes the electric power source part 20 perform operation for supplying electric power to the heater 40. That is, in step S11, it is preferable that judgment as to whether pressing of the power source button 13 has been detected by the sensor 70 be performed. In a different case, judgment as to whether a start of puff action by a user has been detected by the sensor 70 may be made.

In the case that the electric power supplying operation by the electric power source part 20 is started (step S11: YES), counting of the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power is performed, in the following operation performed before an end of the electric power supplying operation, in accordance with predetermined conditions relating to the electric power supplying operation. That is, in step S12, the controller 50 first obtains the total number of times of supply of electric power stored in the memory 80 and performs counting. Specifically, for example, in the case that the total number of times of supply of electric power obtained from the memory 80 is 100, the controller 50 performs counting of the total number of times of supply of electric power to increment it to 101. The value of the counted total number of times of supply of electric power is continuously maintained in the memory 80. In this regard, if the electric power supplying operation has not yet been started (step S11: NO), processes in step S12 and the steps following thereto are not performed.

Next, in step S13, the controller 50 obtains a voltage value Vbatt of the electric power source part 20, by making the sensor 70 detect the voltage value Vbatt of the electric power source part 20. Next, in step S14, the controller 50 uses the obtained voltage value Vbatt to compare it with a voltage threshold value stored in the memory 80 in advance.

In the case that the obtained voltage value Vbatt is equal to or greater than the voltage threshold value (step S14: Yes), the controller 50 judges, in step S15, whether the electric power source part 20 has terminated the electric power supplying operation. In the present embodiment, the electric power supplying operation is performed for a certain period of time (for example, 150 seconds), so that it is preferable that the controller 50 judge whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the time when the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20 is started in step S11.

In the case that the electric power source part 20 has not terminated the electric power supplying operation (step S15: No), the process returns to step S13, and the controller 50 obtains the voltage value Vbatt again, and, in next step S14, repeats comparison for judging whether or not the obtained value is equal to or greater than the voltage threshold value. Regarding above repeating, it is preferable to adopt the construction that it is performed at approximately one-second intervals, for example.

The case that it is judged that the electric power source part 20 has terminated the electric power supplying operation (step S15: Yes) is the case that the voltage value of the electric power source part 20 was maintained to be that equal to or greater than the predetermined voltage threshold value through the electric power supplying operation, so that the controller 50 judges that the electric power source part 20 normally completed the electric power supplying operation. In next step S16, the controller 50 obtains the number of times of normal supply of electric power stored in the memory 802, and performs counting. Specifically, for example, in the case that the number of times of normal supply of electric power obtained from the memory 80 is 100, the number of times of normal supply of electric power is counted to increment it to 101. The counted number of times of normal supply of electric power is continuously maintained in the memory 80.

On the other hand, in the case that it is judged in step S14 that the voltage value Vbatt of the electric power source part 20 has become that less than the voltage threshold value (step S14: No), the controller 50 judges that there is a problem in the electric power source part 20. In such a case, the controller 50 does not perform counting of the number of times of normal supply of electric power. Next, in next step S17, it may be constructed in such a manner that the controller 50 forcibly terminates the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20. By adopting such a construction, it becomes possible to quickly prevent worsening of a problem occurred in the electric power source part 20.

Thereafter, in step S18, the controller 50 judges the state of the electric power source part 20. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the state of the electric power source part 20 be judged as “electric-power-source normality” or “electric-power-source abnormality,” for example. Next, in step S19, the controller 50 makes the notifier 60 perform, based on the total number of times of supply of electric power, notification representing the state of the electric power source part, wherein there are different modes of notification (this will be explained later).

FIG. 4 is a flow chart which relates to step S18, and shows details of operation of the controller 50 for judging the state of the electric power source part 20. Specifically, the controller 50 obtains the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power from the memory 80 in step S181, and, next, judges whether the values of the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power coincide with each other in step S182. In the case that these values coincide with each other (step S182: Yes), the state of the electric power source part is judged as “electric-power-source normality” and set thereto in step S183. On the other hand, in the case that the number of times of normal supply of electric power is not counted and the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power do not coincide with each other accordingly (step S182: No), the state of the electric power source part is judged as “electric-power-source abnormality” and set thereto in step S184.

Regarding the states of the electric power source part judged in step S18, an example of relationship between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power is shown in Table 1 below. It is preferable to adopt the construction that information such as that shown in Table 1 is stored in a table form in a database in the memory 80 together with time, and a record is inserted every time when the data is updated. In this embodiment, the above data is stored as electric-power-source use history information.

TABLE 1 Total number of Number of times of times of supply of normal supply of State of electric electric power electric power power source part . . . . . . electric-power- source normality 52 52 electric-power- source normality 53 52 electric-power- source abnormality

In the example in Table 1, in the cases from the case when the total number of times of supply of electric power counted was 1 to the case when the total number counted was 52, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was sequentially counted similarly, and each of the states of the electric power source part 20 was judged as “electric-power-source normality.” However, in the case when the total number of times of supply of electric power had become 53, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted and maintained to be 52, so that the state of the electric power source part 20 was judged as “electric-power-source abnormality.” In this regard, a person skilled in the art will understand that the above table and the values therein are mere examples, and that items of the electric-power-source use history information stored in the memory 80 are not limited to those shown above. For example, information of time when the state of the electric power source part is judged may also be managed in relation to the history.

It is preferable that the notification operation of the notifier 60 in step S19 following step S18 be constructed in such a manner that the states of the electric power source part are notified in different modes, based on the total number of times of supply of electric power. For example, it is preferable to adopt the construction that, in the case that the state of the electric power source part 20 is judged as “electric-power-source normality” in step S18, the notifier 60 makes one or plural LEDs emit white light; and, when making the one or plural LEDs emit white light, it makes the LED emit light that becomes darker, or it gradually reduces the number of LEDs that are to be made to emit light, as the total number of times of supply of electric power becomes larger. As a result, it becomes possible to allow a user to be able to intuitively grasp the battery life of the electric power source part 20.

Further, in the case that the state of the electric power source part 20 is judged as “electric-power-source abnormality” in step S18, it is possible to make the notifier 60 perform notification according to a range in which the total number of times of supply of electric power (N) is included. Specifically, the LED is activated to emit red light in the case of 1≤N<100, and, similarly, the LED is activated to emit yellow light in the case of 100≤N<1000, purple light in the case of 1000≤N<10000, blue light in the case of in the case of 10000≤N, and so on. The above is based on knowledge that, in the case that the state of the electric power source part 20 is judged as “electric-power-source abnormality,” the degree of severity with respect to abnormality state becomes higher as the value of the total number of times of supply of electric power (N) becomes smaller.

In this regard, a person skilled in the art will understand that the above matters are mere examples, and that the ranges of the total number of times of supply of electric power may further be subdivided, for example. Especially, it is preferable to adopt the construction that the ranges of the total number of times of supply of electric power and the notification modes corresponding to the ranges are stored in a settable manner in the memory 80 as notification rules.

In this manner, by providing notification representing the states of the electric power source part 20 in various modes, it becomes possible to make a user be able to intuitively grasp the state of the electric power source part. Especially, for example, even in the case that the state of the electric power source part 20 is “electric-power-source normality,” it is possible to make a user be able to perceive the above state, and, in addition, the state that the battery life is gradually approaching to the end thereof, by making the mode of notification be based on the total number of times of supply of electric power. Further, in the case that the state of the electric power source part 20 is “electric-power-source abnormality,” it is possible to make a user be able to perceive the degree of severity with respect to the abnormality state. The above matters lead to improvement of convenience relating to repairing of the inhaler 10. For example, with respect to the case that a user makes an inquiry about an abnormal state to a manufacturer, the side of the manufacturer is made to be able to immediately perform, by simply providing the side of the manufacturer with information of the light emission mode (for example, the color of emitted light) of the LED, determination with respect to whether or not repairing is possible and guidance for the user.

Subsequent to performing of notification by the notifier 60 in step S19 in FIG. 3, the present operation flow proceeds to a process for prohibiting electric power supplying operation shown in steps S21-S23 in FIG. 5. In more detail, first, in step S21, the controller 50 specifies whether the state of the electric power source part 20 judged in step S18 is “electric-power-source abnormality,” by referring to the electric-power-source use history information stored in the memory 80. In the case that the state of the electric power source part 20 is “electric-power-source abnormality” (step S21: Yes), the controller 50 stores the information thereof as electric-power-source abnormality information in the memory 80 in step S22.

A part of the above-explained electric-power-source use history information may be used in the electric-power-source abnormality information. Specifically, it is preferable that the electric-power-source abnormality information be constructed to comprise the total number of times of supply of electric power, the number of times of normal supply of electric power, the state of the electric power source part 20, the time when the state of the electric power source part 20 is specified, and so on included in the electric-power-source use history information. Further, the electric-power-source abnormality information may comprise an assumed failure code that is assumed from and corresponds to the total number of times of supply of electric power, and contents relating thereto. Regarding the assumed failure code and the contents, they have been defined in advance, and master information has been stored in the memory 80.

By storing the electric-power-source abnormality information in the memory 80 as explained above, an maintenance agent and/or a repairer of the inhaler 10 can easily identify contents of a failure that has been occurred in the inhaler 10, by referring to the contents recorded in the memory 80 in the inhaler 10. That is, in addition to shortening of time required for repairing, it becomes possible to quickly handle a failure.

Further, in relation to step S22, the controller 50 controls, in next step S23, the electric power source part 20 to prohibit at least electric power supplying operation performed by the electric power source part 20, during a period of time when the electric-power-source abnormality information is being stored in the memory 80. In the present embodiment, it is preferable to adopt the construction that a flag representing the state that the electric power supplying operation performed by the electric power source part 20 is “invalid” is also stored in the memory 80 as a part of the electric-power-source abnormality information. The controller 50 may be constructed to perform control in such a manner that the flag is referred to every time when the electric power source part 20 is operated to perform the electric power supplying operation, and the electric power supplying operation is prohibited if the flag shows “invalid.”

As explained above, in addition to making it possible to judge that the state is “electric-power-source normality” or “electric-power-source abnormality” when the electric power source part 20 performs the electric power supplying operation, the controller 50 prohibits the electric power supplying operation, that is performed by the electric power source part 20, in the case of “electric-power-source abnormality,” especially. In this regard, even in the case that the inhaler 10 is manipulated thereafter by a user erroneously, the electric power source part 20 cannot perform the electric power supplying operation. That is, it becomes possible to improve safety of the inhaler 10, and make the inhaler 10 be safely used by a user.

FIG. 5 shows a flow wherein the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20 is prohibited by the controller 50 when the state of the electric power source part 20 is judged as “electric-power-source abnormality;” and, on the other hand, FIG. 6 shows a flow wherein the controller 50 allows restarting of the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20, after the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20 is prohibited once. For example, in the case that the inhaler 10 is to be made to be operable after a corresponding measure (for example, repairing or replacing of a battery) relating to the electric power source part 20 in an abnormal state is performed, it is preferable that the operation shown in the flow chart in FIG. 6 be performed. In this regard, it is preferable that the operation in FIG. 6 be performed together with the above-explained initialization process. In a different construction, the operation in FIG. 6 may be performed before starting the processes in step S12 and steps following thereto in FIG. 3, after completion of the initialization process.

For example, when the power source button 13 is pressed (START), the controller 50 identifies, in step S31, that the state is that the power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20 is being prohibited. The above identifying operation is implemented by referring to electric-power-source abnormality information stored in the memory 80. Especially, it is implemented by identifying whether corresponding electric-power-source abnormality information is stored in the memory 80. If it is determined as a result thereof that the power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20 is being prohibited (step S31: Yes), the controller 50 detects, in step S32, that the inhaler 10 is being connected (for example, USB connection) to an external device via the external connection terminal 22.

Next, in step S33, the controller 50 deletes the electric-power-source abnormality information from the memory 80. In the present case, it is preferable that an access right of the electric-power-source abnormality information is set in such a manner that the information can be deleted only through an instruction from an external device detected in step S32. If the electric-power-source abnormality information is deleted from the memory 80, the flag that is a part of the electric-power-source abnormality information and represents the state that the electric power supplying operation by the electric power source part 20 is “invalid” is also cleared. In this regard, the deleting operation in the present case includes, in addition to operation for physically deleting data from the memory 80, operation for deactivating data by a flag, and so on.

In response to the result in step S33, i.e., deleting of the electric-power-source abnormality information from the memory 80 and clearing of the flag representing the “invalid” state of the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20, the controller 50 again allows, in step S34, performing of the electric power supplying operation by the electric power source part 20 that has been prohibited. On the other hand, if the power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20 has not been prohibited (step S31: No), it is not necessary to perform the above-explained operation in steps S32-S34, and the controller 50 may terminate the operation shown in the flow chart in FIG. 6 without performing additional operation.

After allowing the electric power supplying operation in step S34, or in the case that the power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20 has not been prohibited in step S31 in FIG. 6, it is preferable that the controller 50 continuously perform the above-explained operation in step S12 and steps following thereto shown in FIG. 3. In this regard, if the state is that after allowance of the electric power supplying operation by step S34, it is preferable that the controller 50 additionally perform the above-explained initialization process again.

As explained above, in the present embodiment, an operating condition, that is applied when again allowing the power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20 that has been prohibited once, is acquisition of an instruction from an external device. That is, simple manipulation of the inhaler 10 by a user is insufficient for again allowing the power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20. As a result, it becomes possible to improve safety and user friendliness of the inhaler 10, and make the inhaler 10 be safely used by a user.

(1-4) Modification Example of Operation of Inhaler

The contents and orders of operation shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 are not necessarily limited uniquely. Modification examples of operation of the inhaler 10 will be explained below.

(i) Modification Examples of Judgment Operation Relating to State of Electric Power Source Part 20

It is explained in the above that it is constructed that the controller 50 judges, based on judgment as to whether the respective values of the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power coincide with each other, specifically, when the values do not coincide with each other, that the state of the electric power source part 20 is “electric-power-source abnormality” (step S18 in FIG. 3 and steps S181-S184 in FIG. 4). In the above case, it is constructed that the number of times of normal supply of electric power is not counted, in the case that the voltage value of the electric power source part 20 becomes that lower than a predetermined voltage threshold value during the electric power supplying operation (step S14 and step S16 in FIG. 3).

On the other hand, it is assumed that, when the sensor 70 detects a voltage value of the electric power source part 20, the sensor 70 may perform erroneous detection due to noise generated as a result of failure in a sensor 70 or the like. Thus, in place of the construction for simply judging whether the respective values of the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power coincide with each other, it may be possible to adopt the construction that the controller 50 judges the state of the electric power source part in accordance with the flow shown in each of modification examples in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

Regarding each of step S18 a and step S18 b in the modification examples in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, operation in each of steps S181, S183, and S184 is similar to that shown in FIG. 4, so that explanation thereof will be omitted. In this part, a modification example corresponding to judgment operation in step S182 in FIG. 4 (step S182 a in FIG. 7 and step S182 b in FIG. 8) will be explained. By applying the modification example in each of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, it becomes possible to more certainly and precisely judge that the state of the electric power source part 20 is “electric-power-source abnormality,” compared with the case of the operation shown in FIG. 4.

(i-1) In the modification example shown in FIG. 7, in step S182 a, the controller 50 judges whether a difference (the number of times of non-counted cases) between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power has reached a predetermined threshold number of times. That is, the state of the electric power source part 20 is judged as “electric-power-source abnormality,” in the case that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times, as a result that the voltage Vbatt of the electric power source part 20 has become a value less than a voltage threshold value, and, thus, the number of times of non-counted cases has reached a predetermined threshold number of times (step S182 a: No).

An example of relationship between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power is shown in Table 2 below, after above-explained Table 1.

TABLE 2 Total number of Number of times of Number of times of supply of normal supply of times of non- State of electric electric power electric power counted cases power source part . . . . . . . . . electric-power- source normality 52 52 0 electric-power- source normality 53 52 0 electric-power- source normality 54 53 1 electric-power- source normality . . . . . . . . . electric-power- source normality 91 90 1 electric-power- source normality 92 90 2 electric-power- source normality 93 90 3 electric-power- source abnormality

In the example in above Table 2, it is assumed that the threshold number of times has been set to “3.” That is, it is finally judged, when the number of times of non-counted cases has become 3, that the state of the electric power source part 20 is “electric-power-source abnormality.” In more detail, in the cases from the case when the total number of times of supply of electric power counted was 1 to the case when the total number counted was 52, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was counted similarly, and each of the states of the electric power source part 20 was judged as “electric-power-source normality.” In the case when the total number of times of supply of electric power had become 53, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted and maintained to be 52, so that the number of times of non-counted cases is counted to make it represent 1. However, since the number of times of non-counted cases (1 time) has not yet reached “3” that is the threshold number of times, the state of the electric power source part 20 was still judged as “electric-power-source normality.”

Regarding the cases from the case when the total number of times of supply of electric power counted was 54 to the case when the total number counted was 91, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was counted also, so that the number of times of non-counted cases is maintained to be 1. In the case when the total number of times of supply of electric power had become 92, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was 90, i.e., the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted, so that the number of times of non-counted cases is counted to make it represent 2. However, in the above case, the state of the electric power source part 20 was also judged as “electric-power-source normality” (since the number of times of non-counted cases has not yet reached “3”). Thereafter, in the case when the total number of times of supply of electric power had become 93, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted and maintained to be 90 times; and, as a result, the number of times of non-counted cases has reached “3,” and, at that time, the state of the electric power source part 20 was judged as “electric-power-source abnormality,” resultantly.

In the example relating to above-explained Table 1, the state was judged as “electric-power-source abnormality” when the total number of times of supply of electric power has become 53, and, on the other hand, in the present modification example, the state was judged as “electric-power-source abnormality” when the total number of times of supply of electric power has become 93; and, in view of the above point, it becomes possible to realize judgment of the state of the electric power source part 20, that takes noise or the like relating to failure or the like of the sensor 70 into consideration, by applying the present modification example. That is, it becomes possible to more precisely judge the state of the electric power source part 20.

(i-2) In the modification example shown in FIG. 8, in step S182 b, the controller 50 associates the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power with each other and stores them in the memory 80. Thereafter, the controller 50 judges whether a difference (the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively) between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power has reached a predetermined threshold number of times, as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times consecutively. That is, in the case that the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively has reached a predetermined threshold number of times (step S182 b: No) as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted in plural times consecutively as a result that the voltage Vbatt of the electric power source part 20 has become that lower than a voltage threshold value, the state of the electric power source part 20 is judged as “electric-power-source abnormality.”

In this regard, the matter that the number of times of normal supply of electric power is not “consecutively” measured corresponds to the matter that an event that the voltage Vbatt of the electric power source part 20 becomes that lower than a voltage threshold value occurs during certain electric power supplying operation and the above event also occurs during next electric power supplying operation following the above certain electric power supplying operation. In this regard, the above electric power supplying operation is operation for supplying, in response to pressing of the power source button 13 by a user, electric power from the electric power source part 20 to the heater 40 for a predetermined period of time.

An example of relationship between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power is shown in Table 3 below, after above-explained Table 1 and Table 2.

TABLE 3 Total number of Number of times of Number of times of times of supply of normal supply of non-counted cases State of electric electric power electric power occurred consecutively power source part . . . . . . . . . electric-power- source normality 52 52 0 electric-power- source normality 53 52 1 electric-power- source normality 54 53 0 electric-power- source normality . . . . . . . . . electric-power- source normality 91 90 0 electric-power- source normality 92 90 1 electric-power- source normality 93 90 2 electric-power- source normality 94 91 0 electric-power- source normality . . . . . . . . . electric-power- source normality 218 215 0 electric-power- source normality 219 215 1 electric-power- source normality 220 215 2 electric-power- source normality 221 215 3 electric-power- source abnormality

In the example in above Table 3, it is assumed that the threshold number of times has been set to “3.” That is, it is finally judged, when the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively has become 3, that the state of the electric power source part 20 is “electric-power-source abnormality.” In more detail, in the cases from the case when the total number of times of supply of electric power counted was 1 to the case when the total number counted was 52, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was counted similarly, and each of the states of the electric power source part 20 was judged as “electric-power-source normality.” In the case when the total number of times of supply of electric power had become 53, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted and maintained to be 52, so that the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively is counted to make it represent 1 time. However, since the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively (1 time) has not yet reached “3” that is the threshold number of times, the state of the electric power source part 20 was still judged as “electric-power-source normality.” Thereafter, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was counted to make it represent 53 when the total number of times of supply of electric power became that representing 54, so that the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively was reset to 0 again.

Regarding the cases from the case when the total number of times of supply of electric power counted was 55 to the case when the total number counted was 91, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was counted also, so that the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively is maintained to be 0. Next, in the cases when the total number of times of supply of electric power counted was 92 and when the total number of times of supply of electric power counted was 93, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted and maintained to be 90, so that the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively is counted to make it represent 2. However, in the above case, the state of the electric power source part 20 was also judged as “electric-power-source normality” (since the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively has not yet reached “3”). Next, when the total number of times of supply of electric power has become 94, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was counted to make it represent 91, so that the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively was reset to 0 again.

Regarding the cases from the case when the total number of times of supply of electric power counted was 95 to the case when the total number counted was 218, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was counted also, so that the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively is maintained to be 0. In the cases from the case when the total number of times of supply of electric power counted was 219 to the case when the total number counted was 221, the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted and maintained to be 215. That is, at the time when the total number counted was 221, the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively became 3 and, thus, reached the threshold number of times. At that time, the state of the electric power source part 20 was judged as “electric-power-source abnormality.”

In Table 1, the state was judged as “electric-power-source abnormality” when the total number of times of supply of electric power has become 53, and, in Table 2, the state was judged as “electric-power-source abnormality” when the total number of times of supply of electric power has become 93; on the other and, in the present modification example, the state was judged as “electric-power-source abnormality” when the total number of times of supply of electric power has become 221. That is, by applying the present modification example, it becomes possible to realize judgment of the state of the electric power source part 20 by further taking noise or the like relating to failure or the like of the sensor 70 into consideration. That is, it becomes possible to still further precisely judge the state of the electric power source part 20.

(ii) Modification Example of Electric Power Supplying Operation of Electric Power Source Part 20

It is explained in the above that it is constructed that the controller 50 makes the notifier 60 perform, based on the total number of times of supply of electric power, notification representing the state of the electric power source part 20, wherein there are different modes of notification (step S19), and, thereafter, prohibits electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20 in the case that the state of the electric power source part 20 is “electric-power-source abnormality” (step S23). However, in place of control for prohibiting electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20 without exception, the controller 50 may be constructed to control electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20 in a mode that becomes different according to the total number of times of supply of electric power.

For example, in the above-explained case of 1≤N<100, the controller 50 may regard the state as that a problem, with respect to that the degree of severity is high, such as damage of a battery cell in the electric power source part 20 relating to dropping of or receiving of impact by the device, or the like, has been occurred, and stop operation of the electric power source part 20 to permanently prohibit supplying of electric power until the battery is replaced. Also, in the case of 10000≤N, the controller 50 may regard the state as that a problem of a battery life relating to aging, or the like, has been occurred, and may not stop operation of the electric power source part 20 purposely. As a result, it becomes possible to provide a user with the inhaler 10 which further takes safety and convenience of a user into consideration.

(iii) Modification Example of Notification Operation of Notifier 60

It is explained in the above that it is constructed that, in the notification operation in the notifier 60 in the inhaler 10 (step S19), the one or plural LEDs are activated to emit light having different colors. However, the mode of notification is not limited to that explained above, and any mode of operation that can provide a user with an explicit notification can be adopted. Specifically, it can be realized by light emission, display, vocalization, vibration, or a combination thereof, or the like. Thus, a flexible mode of notification, that is given to a user, can be realized.

For example, the notifier 60 may comprise one or plural vibrators, and may be constructed to generate vibration that has one or plural vibration types based on the ranges of values of the counted total number of times of supply of electric power. In a different example, the notifier 60 may comprise one or plural speakers, and may be constructed to generate sounds based on the ranges of values of the counted total number of times of supply of electric power. In addition, the notifier 60 may comprise one or plural displays, and may be constructed to perform displaying on the display(s) based on the ranges of values of the counted total number of times of supply of electric power. Further, when performing displaying on the display(s), the controller 50 may additionally display at least a part of the electric-power-source abnormality information (for example, the above-explained abnormality code).

Second Embodiment

In the following description, an inhaler 100 according to a second embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 9. It should be reminded that, regarding the constructions and the functions that have been explained in relation to the first embodiment, substantially the same reference symbols that have been used are assigned thereto, and explanation thereof will be omitted. In the inhaler 100 in the present embodiment, when a start of a series, specifically, a predetermined number of times (for example, eight times), of puff actions by a user is detected by the sensor 70 (for example, a puff sensor), the electric power source of the inhaler 100 is turned on, and electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20 is started and aerosol is generated. The electric power supplying operation is performed continuously until an end of the series of puff actions is detected by the sensor 70.

(2-1) Construction and Operation of Inhaler

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a construction of an inhaler 100 according to a second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, the inhaler 100 comprises a first member 102, a second member 104, and a third member 126, and the whole body is constructed by attaching them together. Specifically, the second member 104 is attached to the first member 102 in an attachable/detachable manner, and the third member 126 is attached to the second member 104 in an attachable/detachable manner. Further, in the present embodiment, the second member 104 is an inhalation article including an aerosol source, and the third member 126 is an inhalation article including a flavor source.

For example, the first member 102 may be an electric power source unit used for the inhaler 100, and may comprise an electric power source part 20, a controller 50, a notifier 60, a sensor 70, a memory 80, and a connection unit (not shown in the figure) which are electrically connected. The inhalation article (including an aerosol source), which is the second member 104, may be constructed as a cartridge, and may comprise a reservoir 116, an atomizer 118, an air taking-in flow path 120, and an aerosol flow path 121. The inhalation article (including a flavor source), which is the third member 126, may be constructed as a capsule, and may comprise a flavor source holder 128 and a puff opening part 122. In the case that the inhaler 100 is an electronic cigarette, a fragrance-inhaling-taste component included in tobacco may be included in the flavor source holder 128.

(i) Construction of Electric Power Source Unit

Regarding the electric power source unit which is the first member 102, the electric power source part 20 performs operation for supplying electric power to the atomizer 118 for atomizing the aerosol source in response to puff action of a user (hereinafter, the “heater” explained in relation to the first embodiment may be referred to as an “atomizer” in the second embodiment).

Similar to the first embodiment, the controller 50 judges the state of the electric power source part 20, based on the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power counted according to electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20. In this regard, the number of times of normal supply of electric power is counted in the case that the voltage value of the electric power source part 20 is maintained to be that equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage threshold value through the electric power supplying operation. In this manner, by using two parameters, i.e., the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power, the controller 50 in the electric power source unit can appropriately grasp a normal state or an abnormal state of the electric power source part during a period when the electric power source unit is being used, especially, during a battery discharge period during user's puff action.

Also, in the case that the number of times of normal supply of electric power is not counted and the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power do not coincide with each other accordingly, the controller 50 judges that the state of the electric power source part 20 is “electric-power-source abnormality.” Further, the controller 50 stores electric-power-source abnormality information in the memory 80 in the case that the state of the electric power source part 20 is judged as “electric-power-source abnormality,” and, in response to storing of the electric-power-source abnormality information, prohibits electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20. Further, in response to an instruction from an external device (that is not shown in the figure) which is connected to the electric power source unit, the controller 50 deletes the electric-power-source abnormality information, that has been stored in the memory 80, from the memory 80, and, in response to deletion of the electric-power-source abnormality information, allows performing of the electric power supplying operation that has been prohibited.

In this manner, by using two parameters, i.e., the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power, the controller 50 in the electric power source unit can certainly judge an abnormal state of the electric power source part during a battery discharge period, in the case that a problem has occurred during the battery discharge period. Also, by prohibiting the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part 20, safety relating to a user can be improved. Further, by requiring an instruction from an external device with respect to deletion of electric-power-source abnormality information, it becomes possible to prevent malfunction of puff manipulation due to incorrect manipulation performed by a user, and improve safety relating to a user. In addition, by making it possible to again allow the electric power supplying operation that has been prohibited once, convenience of a user can be improved.

The notifier 60 operates to provide a user with explicit notification. Specifically, the notifier 60 provides a user with notification in various forms, by light emission, display, vocalization, vibration, or a combination thereof, or the like, as necessary. For example, the notifier 60 may be constructed in such a manner that it comprises one or plural LEDs, and makes the one or plural LEDs emit light having a single or plural colors according to a judged state of the electric power source part 20.

In the present embodiment, the notifier 60 is constructed to provide notification representing the state of the electric power source part 20. For example, it is preferable to construct it in such a manner that notification with respect to whether the electric power source part 20 is in a normal state or an abnormal state is provided, and further, based on the total number of times of supply of electric power, each of states of the electric power source part 20 is notified in a mode different from other modes. That is, as a result that a notification mode is perceived by a user who is performing puff action, the user can intuitively grasp a normal state or an abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge period. Further, it becomes possible to improve convenience relating to repairing of the electric power source unit.

The sensor 70 comprises various types of sensors. The sensor 70 is constructed to detect the voltage value of the electric power source part 20 during a discharging state (that is, operation for supplying electric power to the atomized 118). Also, the sensor 70 is constructed to include a puff sensor such as a microphone condenser, and constructed to detect puff action of a user, specifically, identify a start and an end of a series of puff actions by a user.

Similar to the case of the first embodiment, the connection unit may be an external connection terminal (22), and it is preferable to adopt the construction that, when it is connected to an external input device, various kinds of setting data and/or firmware of the inhaler 100, that have been stored in the memory 80, are rewritable based on instructions from the external input device.

(ii) Construction of Cartridge

Regarding the cartridge which is the second member 104 (the inhalation article (including an aerosol source)), the reservoir 116 holds an aerosol source. For example, the reservoir 116 comprises fibrous or porous material, and holds an aerosol source, which is in the form of liquid, by use of spaces between fibers or pores in the porous material. For example, cotton or glass fibers, or tobacco raw material, or the like, may be used as the above-explained fibrous or porous material. The reservoir 116 may be constructed as a tank for storing liquid. The reservoir 116 may have a construction which allows replenishment of a consumed aerosol source. In a different case, the reservoir 116 may be constructed in such a manner that the reservoir 116 itself is allowed to be replaced when the aerosol source is exhausted. Further, the aerosol source is not limited to that in a liquid form, and it may be solid. In the case that the aerosol source is solid, the reservoir 116 may be a hollow container which does not use fibrous or porous material, for example.

The atomizer 118 is constructed to generate aerosol from an aerosol source. Specifically, the atomizer 118 generates aerosol by atomizing or vaporizing an aerosol source. In the case that the inhaler 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer or the like, the atomizer 118 generates aerosol by atomizing or vaporizing an aerosol source including a medicine. When a puff action is detected by the sensor 70, the atomizer 118 generates aerosol by receiving supply of electric power from the electric power source part 20. For example, a wick (not shown in the figure) may be installed for connection between the reservoir 116 and the atomizer 118. In the above case, a part of the wick extends to the inside of the reservoir 116 and is in contact with the aerosol source. The other part of the wick extends toward the atomizer 118. The aerosol source is sent from the reservoir 116 to the atomizer 118 by capillary effect in the wick. For example, the atomizer 118 comprises a heater which is electrically connected to the electric power source part 20. The heater is arranged to be in contact with or to be positioned close to the wick. When a puff action is detected, the controller 50 controls the heater in the atomizer 118 to heat an aerosol source, which is conveyed via the wick, to thereby atomize the aerosol source. The other example of the atomizer 118 may be an ultrasonic-type atomizer which atomizes an aerosol source by ultrasonic vibration.

Regarding the cartridge which is the second member 104, a vent for taking air for making the air flow into the inside of the reservoir 116 is formed therein. Further, the air taking-in flow path 120 connected to the vent is connected to the atomizer 118, and leads to the outside of the inhaler 100. The aerosol generated in the atomizer 118 is mixed with air that is taken via the air taking-in flow path 120. The fluid mixture comprising the aerosol and the air is sent to the aerosol flow path 121, as shown by an arrow 124. The aerosol flow path 121 has a tubular structure, which extends through the second member 104 and the third member 126, for sending the fluid mixture comprising the air and the aerosol, that is generated in the atomizer 118, to the puff opening part 122 in the third member 126.

(iii) Construction of Capsule

Regarding the capsule which is the third member 126 (the inhalation article (including flavor source)), the flavor source holder 128 is a component for adding flavor to aerosol. The flavor source holder 128 is positioned in the middle of the aerosol flow path 121. The fluid mixture comprising the air and the aerosol generated by the atomizer 118 (the fluid mixture may simply be referred to as aerosol, hereinafter) flows to the puff opening part 122 through the aerosol flow path 121. In this manner, in the point of view of the flow of the aerosol, the flavor source holder 128 is arranged in a position downstream the atomizer 118. In other words, in the aerosol flow path 121, the position of the flavor source holder 128 is closer to the puff opening part 122 than the position of the atomizer 118. Thus, the aerosol generated in the atomizer 118 passes through the flavor source holder 128 and thereafter arrives at the puff opening part 122. When the aerosol passes through the flavor source holder 128, fragrance-inhaling-taste components included in the flavor source holder 128 are added to the aerosol.

For example, in the case that the inhaler 100 is an electronic cigarette, the flavor source holder 128 may be that which originates from tobacco, such as shredded tobacco, a product which is made by processing tobacco raw material to have a granular form, a sheet form, or a powder form, or the like. Further, flavor source holder 128 may be that which does not originate from tobacco, such as a product made by use of a plant other than tobacco (for example, mint, a herb, and so on). For example, flavor source holder 128 comprises a nicotine component. The flavor source holder 128 may comprise a flavor component such as menthol or the like. In addition to the flavor source holder 128, the reservoir 116 may also have a material comprising a fragrance-inhaling-taste component. For example, the inhaler 100 may be constructed in such a manner that the flavor source holder 128 holds flavor material which originates from tobacco and the reservoir 116 includes flavor material which does not originate from tobacco.

(2-2) Modification Example of Operation of Electric Power Source Unit

It is explained in the above that it is constructed that the controller 50 performs judgment based on whether the respective values of the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power coincide with each other, and, in the case that the values do not coincide with each other, judges that the state of the electric power source part 20 is “electric-power-source abnormality.” In the above case, it is constructed that the number of times of normal supply of electric power is not counted, in the case that the voltage value of the electric power source part 20 becomes that lower than a predetermined voltage threshold value during the electric power supplying operation.

However, it is assumed that, when the sensor 70 detects a voltage value of the electric power source part 20, the sensor 70 may perform erroneous detection due to noise generated as a result of failure in a sensor 70 or the like. Thus, in place of the construction for simply judging whether the respective values of the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power coincide with each other, it may be possible to adopt the construction that the controller 50 judges the state of the electric power source part 20 in a manner similar to that in the flow shown in each of modification examples in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 shown in relation to the first embodiment.

For example, in a modification example similar to that shown in FIG. 7, the controller 50 judges whether a difference (the number of times of non-counted cases) between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power has reached a predetermined threshold number of times. That is, in the case that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times, as a result that the voltage Vbatt of the electric power source part 20 has become a value less than a voltage threshold value, and, thus, the number of times of non-counted cases has reached a predetermined threshold number of times, the state of the electric power source part 20 is judged as “electric-power-source abnormality.”

Further, in a modification example similar to that shown in FIG. 8, the controller 50 associates the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power with each other and stores them in the memory 80. Thereafter, the controller 50 judges whether a difference (the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively) between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power has reached a predetermined threshold number of times, as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times consecutively. That is, in the case that the number of times of non-counted cases occurred consecutively has reached a predetermined threshold number of times as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times consecutively as a result that the voltage Vbatt of the electric power source part 20 has become that lower than a voltage threshold value, the state of the electric power source part 20 is judged as “electric-power-source abnormality.”

In this regard, the matter that the number of times of normal supply of electric power is not “consecutively” measured corresponds to the matter that an event that the voltage Vbatt of the electric power source part 20 becomes that lower than a voltage threshold value occurs during certain electric power supplying operation and the above event also occurs during next electric power supplying operation following the above certain electric power supplying operation. In this regard, the above electric power supplying operation is operation for supplying electric power from the electric power source part 20 to the heater 40, that is performed as a result that a user performs a series of puff actions, during a period from a start to an end of the series of puff actions.

According to each of the modification examples similar to those shown in the modification examples in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the controller 50 in the electric power source unit is made to be able to further precisely judge the abnormal state of the electric power source part in a battery discharge period.

Other Embodiments

In the above description, inhalers, electric power source units, and methods according to some embodiments have been explained with reference to the figures. It will be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented as programs for making a processor execute methods for operating an inhaler when the programs are executed by the processor, or a computer-readable storage medium storing the above programs.

In the above description, embodiments of the present disclosure have been explained together with their modification examples and application modes; and, in this regard, it should be understood that they are mere examples, and they are not those limiting the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that change, addition, modification, and so on with respect to the embodiments can be performed appropriately, without departing from the gist and the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-explained embodiments, and should be limited by the claims and equivalents thereof only.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   10, 100 . . . Inhaler: 11 (11A, 11B) . . . Housing: 12 . . .         Cover: 12 a . . . Opening: 13 . . . Power source button: 14 . .         . Lid part: 15 . . . Inhalation article (Aerosol generation         base-material): 22 . . . External connection terminal: 40 . . .         Heater: 45 . . . Holding part: 50 . . . Controller: 60 . . .         Notifier: 70 . . . Sensor: 80 . . . Memory: 102 . . . First         member (Electric power source unit): 104 . . . Second member         (Cartridge/Aerosol-source-contained inhalation article): 126 . .         . Third member (Capsule/Flavor-source-contained inhalation         article): 116 . . . Reservoir: 118 . . . Atomizer (Heater): 120         . . . Air taking-in flow path: 121 . . . Aerosol flow path: 122         . . . Puff opening part: 128 . . . Flavor source holder 

1. An inhaler for generating aerosol, comprising: a heater for atomizing an aerosol source; an electric power source part for performing operation for supplying electric power to the heater; a sensor for detecting a voltage value of the electric power source part; a controller for judging the state of the electric power source part based on the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power that are counted according to the electric power supplying operation, wherein the number of times of normal supply of electric power is counted in the case that the voltage value of the electric power source part is maintained to be that equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage threshold value through the electric power supplying operation; and a notifier for notifying the state of the electric power source part.
 2. The inhaler as recited in claim 1, wherein the notifier notifies, based on the total number of times of supply of electric power, the states of the electric power source part in different modes.
 3. The inhaler as recited in claim 1, wherein, in the case that the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power do not coincide with each other as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted, the controller judges the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality.
 4. The inhaler as recited in claim 1, wherein, in the case that a difference between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power has reached a predetermined threshold number of times as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times, the controller judges the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality.
 5. The inhaler as recited in claim 1, wherein the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power are associated with each other, and in the case that a difference between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power has reached a predetermined threshold number of times as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times consecutively, the controller judges the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality.
 6. The inhaler as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller stores electric-power-source abnormality information in a memory in the case that the state of the electric power source part is judged as electric-power-source abnormality, and, in response to storing of the electric-power-source abnormality information, prohibits the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part.
 7. The inhaler as recited in claim 6, wherein the controller further deletes the electric-power-source abnormality information stored in the memory, and, in response to deleting of the electric-power-source abnormality information, allows the electric power supplying operation that has been prohibited.
 8. The inhaler as recited in claim 7, wherein the controller deletes the electric-power-source abnormality information in response to an instruction from an external device connected to the inhaler.
 9. The inhaler as recited in claim 1, wherein the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part is started in response to pressing of a power source switch by a user, and performed for a predetermined period of time.
 10. An electric power source unit used for an inhaler for generating aerosol, comprising: a heater for atomizing an aerosol source; an electric power source part for performing operation for supplying electric power to the heater; a sensor for detecting a voltage value of the electric power source part; a controller for judging the state of the electric power source part based on the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power that are counted according to the electric power supplying operation, wherein the number of times of normal supply of electric power is counted in the case that the voltage value of the electric power source part is maintained to be that equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage threshold value through the electric power supplying operation; and a notifier for notifying the state of the electric power source part.
 11. The electric power source unit as recited in claim 10, wherein the notifier notifies, based on the total number of times of supply of electric power, the states of the electric power source part in different modes.
 12. The electric power source unit as recited in claim 10, wherein, in the case that the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power do not coincide with each other as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted, the controller judges the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality.
 13. The electric power source unit as recited in claim 10, wherein, in the case that a difference between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power has reached a predetermined threshold number of times as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times, the controller judges the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality.
 14. The electric power source unit as recited in claim 10, wherein the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power are associated with each other, and in the case that a difference between the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power has reached a predetermined threshold number of times as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted plural times consecutively, the controller judges the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality.
 15. The electric power source unit as recited in claim 10, wherein the controller stores electric-power-source abnormality information in a memory in the case that the state of the electric power source part is judged as electric-power-source abnormality, and, in response to storing of the electric-power-source abnormality information, prohibits the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part.
 16. The electric power source unit as recited in claim 15, wherein the controller further deletes the electric-power-source abnormality information stored in the memory, in response to an instruction from an external device connected to the electric power source unit, and, in response to deleting of the electric-power-source abnormality information, allows the electric power supplying operation that has been prohibited.
 17. The electric power source unit as recited in claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises a puff sensor, and the electric power supplying operation of the electric power source part is started in response to a start of a series of puff actions of a user, that is detected by the puff sensor, and continued until an end of the series of puff actions.
 18. A method for operating an inhaler for generating aerosol, comprising: a step for making an electric power source part perform operation for supplying electric power to a heater which atomizes an aerosol source; a step for making a sensor detect a voltage value of the electric power source part; a step for judging the state of the electric power source part based on the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power that are counted according to the electric power supplying operation, wherein the number of times of normal supply of electric power is counted in the case that the voltage value of the electric power source part is maintained to be that equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage threshold value through the electric power supplying operation; and a step for notifying the state of the electric power source part.
 19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the step for notifying comprises notifying, based on the total number of times of supply of electric power, the states of the electric power source part in different modes.
 20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the step for judging comprises judging the state of the electric power source part as electric-power-source abnormality, in the case that the total number of times of supply of electric power and the number of times of normal supply of electric power do not coincide with each other as a result that the number of times of normal supply of electric power was not counted. 